
好词典

源自拉丁语 'obligatus'(ob- '朝向' + ligare '捆绑'),15世纪通过法语进入英语,原意为'用法律或道德约束捆绑'。
❶ 在法律、道德或承诺的约束下要求某人必须做某事,带有强制性或义务性。
“The contract obligates the company to deliver the goods within 30 days.”
(合同规定公司必须在30天内交付货物。)
“Parents are obligated to provide for their children's basic needs.”
(父母有义务满足孩子的基本需求。)
❶ 特指生物必须依赖特定生存条件或行为模式的,常用于生物学领域。
“The obligate parasite cannot survive without its host.”
(这种专性寄生虫离开宿主就无法存活。)
“Penguins are obligate swimmers with specialized flippers.”
(企鹅是必须依赖游泳的鸟类,拥有特化的鳍状肢。)
legally obligated — 指法律上必须履行的责任或义务,具有强制约束力。
“Landlords are legally obligated to maintain safe living conditions.”
(房东在法律上有义务维护安全的居住环境。)
morally obligated — 基于道德准则而非法律要求产生的责任感。
“Many feel morally obligated to donate to disaster relief efforts.”
(许多人觉得有道义责任向救灾工作捐款。)